Today, Native Instruments has released Traktor 2.7, the new Traktor version that supports the new controller Kontrol S8.

The main new software feature of Traktor 2.7 is the freeze/slicer mode, a new feature that is mappable to any controller. Traktor Bible provides you with mappings for Kontrol S2MK2, Kontrol S4MK2, and Kontrol F1, that allow you to use freeze and slice from all three controllers.
Get the mappings here:

Native Instruments has released the following information regarding the support of Native Instruments software and hardware products under OS X 10.10:

For the time being, Native Instruments software and hardware products are not supported under Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite. We recommend to wait a little before upgrading to Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite, as full support for Native Instruments products (soft - and hardware) cannot be provided yet.
We are currently conducting systematic tests to offer full compatibility as soon as possible. Please check regularly your Native Instruments product's specification page to keep yourself updated on the actual system requirements. There, Mac OS X 10.10 will be added to the supported operating systems as soon as we can guarantee the full compatibility of our products.

October 19, 2014

Update (October 25, 2014): Native Instruments has released new information regarding the compatibility of NI products with OS X Yosemite. It seems that products with a hardware dependency (such as MASCHINE, KOMPLETE KONTROL, TRAKTOR, GUITAR RIG, and Controller Editor) do not launch if the AVID CoreAudio-Manager/drivers are installed under OS X Yosemite. NI and Avid are working together to resolve the compatibility issue. Under standard installations of the operating system current NI products work without any specific issues.

Traktor Audio 2 and iOS 8

Native Instruments has released the following information regarding the compatibility of Traktor Audio 2 and iOS 8:

The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1, TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 MK2 and TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK2 are fully compatible with iOS 8.
The TRAKTOR AUDIO 2 soundcard is currently experiencing audio compatibility issues with devices running iOS 8. We’re working closely with Apple to fix this. We will keep you informed about any further developments.

October 19, 2014

Update (October 27, 2014): Even after updating to iOS 8.1 several users report audio problems when using Traktor Audio 2 MK2 with Traktor DJ on iOS. iOS 8 was not the smoothest iOS update Apple ever provided (four versions between September 17, 2014 and October 20, 2014: versions 8.0.1, 8.0.2 and 8.1 mainly fixed bugs, but unfortunately did not solve the issues with Traktor Audio 2 MK2).
The issues people are having now remind me of the iOS 7.0 update, where the Native Instruments iOS-ready devices (like Traktor Audio 2, Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2, etc.) had issues like random disconnections, iOS device restarts, distortion, and chopped audio. iOS 7.0 was released on September 18, 2013. The problems were then solved in the iOS 7.1 update, released on March 10, 2014.
I am pretty sure that the problems with iOS 8 and 8.1 will also be resolved; however, some patience may be required.

COMING SOON: NEW TRAKTOR BIBLE UPDATE PDF

The new Traktor version that supports Kontrol S8 will have the version number 2.7.0. We are working hard on the new PDF update for our Traktor Bible. The PDF update will be ready for download at the same time when NI makes the new Traktor version available (end of october).

As we can see from the various photos of Kontrol S8, the new NI controller has a dedicated FREEZE button. Apparently this button will enable a freeze mode that probably will work as the freeze mode known from the iOS app Traktor DJ. Can we map freeze mode to any MIDI controller? If yes, how? Will freeze mode be automatically available on Kontrol S4 or Kontrol F1? If not, how can we change the mapping of older NI controllers in a way that they support freeze mode?

Plenty of questions! The upcoming Traktor Bible PDF update has the answers.

(September 23, 2014, updated October 18)

New Traktor Bible Update PDF online

If you have any of the former editions of Traktor Bible, you can now download your free update PDF. It contains information about the remix decks, about using and remapping the NI controllers and about more new and changed features.

Traktor Bible 2014 Edition is avilable now. All pre-ordered books have been shipped.

If the "green book" is the first Traktor Bible that you own, click
here to activate your PLUS account. Once you are registerd, the PLUS section offers several tutorials covering broadcasting with Traktor, a topic that did not made it into the book.

If you own one of the older editions of Traktor Bible, you can download a new update PDF in the next days.

Recording the Mic with Kontrol S2 MK2

In the default configuration the mic signal from Kontrol S2 remains in the internal soundcard of the S2 and is not recorded.
However, a little trick will allow you to record the mic.

Already the first version of Xtreme Mapping transformed the creation of Traktor mappings to pure fun.
And it is not only the large, clearly arranged window that makes mapping with XM a treat, but also the many small and big features that help you to reach your goal quicker.

Welcome to the longest article that I ever wrote for my website.
Yes, the Traktor Bible is several hundred pages but an article with 10 pages is quite long for a blog.

The simple reason for the length is that I want to provide a fact-based and well-balanced personal view to the remix deck mappability question. Make some time, pull up a comfy chair and take a read. Here we go.

I cannot see any technical reason why it was not possible to have provided the
most basic mapping controls for the remix decks in Traktor 2.5.0.

Daniel Haver, CEO of Native Instruments, announced the upcoming Traktor version 2.5 and the new NI controller Kontrol F1 on January 21, 2012 in Los Angeles with an availability in April 2012.

The main new feature is the remix decks that will replace the sample decks that we are familiar with in the current version of Traktor Pro 2.

All details about the new 2.5 version and about the new controller will be available as a free PDF update to all owners of a Traktor Bible, as soon as Traktor 2.5 and the Kontrol F1 controller are available. Release of Traktor 2.5 is planned for May 30, 2012.

There came a question up on the NI forum today regarding WAV vs. MP3. This reminded me of this great interview with Tony Andrews, founder of Funktion One. I want to share it with you (if you haven't seen it yet). Enjoy

Video: Controlling two Timecode Decks with one TT/CDJ

This tutorial shows how to use the Single Turntable Mode of Traktor. In Single Turntable Mode two Traktor decks share one timecode signal.

This is useful if you have only one turntable/CD player or if one player dies during a gig.

This article shows how to squeeze more than one modifier value into one modifier slot.

The mapping technique explained will help you, when you run out of available modifiers. Furthermore, there can be situations where you need to make a command dependent of more than two modifiers. For example, you may wish to use two of the standard modifier values (M1 to M8) and additionally one of the extended modifiers (like Is in Loop).

Beeing able to create completely customized mappings is one of the coolest features of Traktor. However, the user interface of the Controller Manager
that you need to use to cerate your mappings, is sub-optimal.

Things get a lot better now with the Mac OS X app Xtreme Mapping. It eliminates the shortcomings of the Controller Manager and makes mapping creation a lot easier.

This workshop series explains how to integrate Traktor and Maschine running on the same Mac OS X or Windows 7 system. To route the audio the free tool Jack is used. The audio from the Traktor decks is sent to Maschine, where you can apply all Maschine effects and external plugins.

Did you ever wonder why the jogwheels on Traktor Kontrol S4 feel so good as they do?

Answer coming soon

New Firmware for Traktor Audio 6/Traktor Audio 10

Native Instruments has released a new firmware (version 37) for the audio interfaces Traktor Audio 6, Traktor Audio 10, and Komplete Audio 6. Updating the firmware is very easy with the new tool Device Updater.

Samples Lib is a new service on the Traktor Bible website where you can upload and share your own (i.e. self produced) samples (loops, one shots, field recordings). An attribute browser and saved filters make it easy to find the samples you need.

All who upload ten or more samples or sample packages up to June 15, 2011 June 30, 2011, take part in the drawing of several prizes.

One of the praised options of the Pioneer DDJ-T1 controller (released in March 2011) is the so called „channel fader start“ feature: if you open the channel fader of one deck, the corresponding tracks automatically starts to play.

The fader start feature can be implemented for any MIDI controller available. As you will see in this tutorial you can map fader start either to the cross fader of your controller or to the individual channel/volume faders. You will see also why this does not work when using Traktor Kontrol S4 in its native NHL mode.